Composition comprising solid polyolefin and a hydrogenated polyphenyl



- 2,925,398 f' COMPOSITION COMPRISING SOLID POLYOLEFIN AND A HYDROGENATEDPOLYPHENYL Aubert -Y. Coran', Brentwood, and Helmnt L. Merten,

' 1 Glendale, Mo.-, assignors to Monsanto Chemical'Comipany,-St. Louis, Mo., a corporation-of'Delaware No Drawing. Application February 11, 1,957 Serial No. 639,179 8 Claims. l (Cl. 260-336) V This invention relates to new and improved olefin polymer compositions. While the invention relates particularly to polyethylene compositions, it also relates -to other. olefin polymer compositions, which are hereinafter described in greater detail; g,

,It was known heretofore that ethylene polymers, upon prolonged exposure to sunlight,underwent oxidation and photo-degradation reactions which resulted in chemical modifications of the polymeric molecule with a corresponding loss of tensile strength andelongation. To

protect such olefin polymers from this degradation, vari- I ous substances have been added to the 'polymers 'during their processing, but as is frequently thecase,these added a substances tend to have an undesirable effect on the other 7 properties of the polymer, For/example, manyof'thes'e 1 substances tend to impair the electrical properties of the polymer and produce undesirable color effects.

- This invention has asan object the provision-of: new

and useful. compositions offmattercomprisingfcertain normally solid olefin polymers. Afurther objectof this invention is to provide compositions comprisingcertain normally solid olefin polymersgand, particularly, polytimes referred to as the HP. modifier).

The term polyphenyl, as used herein, shall be understoodjo refer to polyphenyls which contain at leastthree aromatic rings and preferably to terphenyls and'quarter 'phenyls. Thehydro'genated polyphenylscan be obtained,

for example, by hydrogenating a mixture of isomeric polyphenyls and separating a particular isomer, or the'hydrogenated mixture may be used as such; Thefnovel; compositions of this invention can be prepar'ed in any suit-' able manner that Will etfectthorough and intimate mixing of-the polymer-and H.P. modifier; Thisfcan be'accomplished in any machine suitable-for mixing solids, as by milling a mixture of the olefin polymerand H.P.m'odifier suitable I-LP. modifier for the ventioii can be obtained by the hydrogenation of the. high-boilingfraction of by-product hydrocarbons obtained from a commercial process for the preparation of bi-f phenyl by the pyrolysis of benzene. In such a process,

I ficulty often encountered, the extrusion or injection- 'molding of such solid polymers due to high viscosity (low) melt index), can be substantially decreased. These effects are achieved without the impairment of such other prop:

erties of polyethylene and other resinous polyolefins; as, for example, the color, electrical properties, etc. 7

In general, the amount of the PLP. modifier to be added will depend upon the result to be achieved, but usually 'the ultimate compositions do not contain moreithan a' compatible amount of the HF. modifier, i.e. not more than about 15 parts per hundred parts of the olefin poly- For example, to achieve efiective stabilization. against the deleterious efiects of weather, amounts of. 'H.P. modifier in the range of 5 to '12 parts per hundred parts (phr.) of'the olefin polymer may be added; where- 7 as lower amounts, i.e. in the range of 2 to 5 parts, may

be added to increase the melt index (lower the melt vis Compositions containing; the gmodifierinjamounts Varying from 5 to 10 partsp'er hundred parts of the olefin polymerare preferred, Ex-

cosity) of, the olefin polymer.

cellent; results "are obtained when the polymer composi ti qn conta'ins approximately 10. phr. of the HP. modifier Conceiitrateswhich contain up to 5,0 phr. or moreof the}: i j modifier can be prepared and stored and subsequently;

- blended ,with additional "quantities of the part the" desired properties-thereto. V

benzene is passed through heated tubesor through molten metals or molten salts. The main products formed are biphenyl, hydrogen, and a light-colored, waxy fraction of high-boiling hydrocarbons comprising a mixture of isomeric po1yphenyls,which mixture boils at about 270 .C. The partial (about 20%) to complete hydrogenation of this solid higher-boiling waxy fraction at a temperature withinthe range of 160 C. to 240 C., employing a hydrogenation catalyst such as nickel and a hydrogen pressure as low as 40 pounds per square inch, but preferably within the range of 200 to 1200 pounds per square ,inch, yields a mixture consisting essentially of hydrogenated terphenyls and hydrogenated quarterphenyls. A pa'rticularI isomer. may be obtained by the fractional dis.-

tillation of this mixture or by separating the particular 'polyphenyl. isomer from the solid higher-boilingwaxy genation process. ,v .g

A preferred material obtained by thej'above process is:

fraction starting material and subjecting it to the'hydro- V a clear, oily, high boiling' liquid mixture which is about: 40% hydrogenated. This material has 'aspe'cific gravity.

within the rangeof 1.05 to 0.970 at 25C. and a'refractiveiindex 1 above about 1.54. It also has a power factor of less than 0.1% at 1000 cycles and 25 (3., less than 0.5% at 60 cycles and 25 C., and a dielectric con- 'stanttof 2.6 to 2.7 at 60 and=l000 cycles at 25 C. 'This on hot'or cold mill rolls as the nature of the polymer 1 permits, by mixing in Banbury mixers or other well-known devices of this nature. Instead of adding the HP. modifier to the polymer in the solid or molten state, it can be material will be referred to genated -polyphenyls;

hereinafter as 40% hydro- Still .more preferred as a modifier is a completely hydrogenated mixture which is described as'a white,

wax-like semi-solid having a specific gravityof from added to asolution or suspension of the polymer in an organic solvent, which solution may then be employed for the formation of films, for wet ordry spinning of fibers; monofilaments, and the like. The HP. modifier may be added assuch or may first be dissolved in a suitn fil of from about 1.4940 to 1.4985, and a boiling range 'of 170? CL to 270 Chat 10 mm. pressure. It

aboutT.0.91'8O 'to' 019230. at. (3., a refractive'in'dex also has a power factor of less than 0.03% at 1000 cycles"-andf 25TC., less than 0.13% at cycles'and vable solvent as the particularmixing procedure warrants.- :1 Through the use of the HP. modifiers described herein,

itghas bee'n'found that normally solid :OlGllII polymers can be stabilized against-the 'eifects ofweath'er in the-presence strong sunlight. It has alsobeen-found that the dif- 25?,Ci, =anda dielectric constant of 2.2-2.3 at 60 and" 1000 cycles and 25 'C This material, which is ob tained by;the' complete hydrogenation of 'isomericpoly-j phenyls, will be hereinafter refer r'ed to ,by the term, 1 completely hydrogenated polyphenylsi Unit d ees .itiftii] ,urposes of in:--

The olefin polymers used in the composition of this invention can be any normally solid short-chain monoolenfiic aliphatic hydrocarbon polymer, e.g., polymers obtained from the newer low-pressure processes, such as the proprietary materials, Marlex, Marlex 50, etc.-,'

produced by the so-called Phillips process (Phillips Petroleum Company), the so-called Ziegler'polymers produced by the Ziegler process, and other low-pressure processes wherein the so-called Ziegler-type catalysts are used.

The short chain mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon polymers used in the composition of this invention may be copolymers of two ormore of the aforementioned short chain mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon monomers, especially copolymers of ethylene with minor amounts (from 2 to percent) of higher olefins such as propylene or butylene, and copolymers of one or more short chain mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon monomers with minor proportions, not to exceed by weight of the olefin, of other ethylenically-unsaturated comonomers suchas styrene, vinyl chloride, vinyl ace tate, vinyl methyl ether, vinylidene chlorofluoride, methyl methacrylate. V

The olefin polymers to which the present invention is applicable must have molecular weights sufliciently high to be normally solid at room temperatures, i.e., above about 5000; preferably, the olefin polymers will have even higher molecular weights, e.g., 20,000' and.

above. The molecular weights in question are those calculated in the conventional manner on the basis of the viscosity of the polymer in solution, as described in J.A.C.S. 73, page 1901 (1951).

The compositions of this invention are not only useful in applications where stability to the effects of light and weather is needed, but also in other applications where the tensile strength and elongation properties are important. In addition, compositions prepared from the low-density type polyethylenes and the HP. modifier retain the high electrical insulating properties of the polyethylene itself.

As is evident from the results obtained in Examples 3, 4, and 5, plasticizing effects are obtained without adversely affecting the color of the polymer. The slightly softer product permits injection molding at lower temperatures than those normally used for the polymer itself. Since the flexibility of a polyethylene is increased without a corresponding impairment of tensile strength, numerous other applications become apparent.

Although the compositions of this invention are composed essentially of olefin polymers and hydrogenated polyphenyl, small amounts of other materials can also be added. These materials include, for example, fillers, compatible resins, pigments, dyes, lubricants, antistatic agents, and antioxidants which can be added to modify the compositions for a particular application.

The following examples, in which all parts are by weight unless otherwise specified, more fully illustrate the nature of the invention; however, the specific details of these examples are not to be taken as limita tions upon the invention.

EXAMPLE 1.PREPARATION OF THIN FILM Pellets of DYNH polyethylene (which material has an average molecular weight of about 21,000 and is manufactured by the Bakelite Division of Carbide and Carbon Chemical Company) were mixed with xylene to provide a solution containing polyethylene. The solution was then heated to 130 C. with agitation until complete solution was effected. This; solution was divided into four portions; onewas used as a control,

and there were dissolved in the other three portions, amounts of completely hydrogenated mixed polyphenyls (hereinafter referred to as .Modifier A), having a refractive (21 of 1.4982, such that the final solutions contained, respectively, 5,, 10,'an1d 15 parts of Modifier A Pe p ts f p ly hy Ea h; so ution allowed to stand until all air bubbles, disappeared and was then cast over a glass plate, previously heated to 130 C., to form, inv each case, a film approximately 20 mils thick. The film in each case was then air dried at 130 C. and cooled to room temperature. The dried films were removed from the glass plates and found to be about 4 mils thick.

EXAMPLE 2.-EFFECT OF OUTDOOR WEATHERING Table A 7 EFFECT OF EXPOSURE 0N TENSILE STRENGTH Tensile Strength, p.s.i. Parts of Modifier A Per 100 Parts of Polyethylene I Initial 100 Days 150 Days 1 Slight incompatibility.

Percent Elongation Parts of Modifier A Per 100 Parts of Polyethylene Initial 100 Days 150 Days Slight incompatibility.

EXAMPLE 3.-EFFECT OF MODIFIER A 0N MELT INDEX High molecular weight (about 100,000) polyethylene produced by a low-pressure catalytic process and the polyethylene used in Example 1 were each blended on a hot (-160 -roll differential speed mill with varying am f Modifier A to furnish homogeneouscompositions. Each of the compositionswas then chopped in granules and molded under heat C.) and pressure (50 p.s.i.) into sheets about 40 mils thick. Test pieces ofthese sheets were then subjected to standard melt index test (A.S.-T.M. D1238-5'21) to determine the effect of the modifier on the, melt index of the polymer. These results of these testsare re.- ported in Table C, below.

Table C Melt Index-(gmsJlO min. at 0.) Parts of Modifier A Per 100 Parts of Polyethylene High Press. Low Press. Type Poly- Type Polyethylene ethylene The resultsv of these 5 7 EXAMPLE 4.'-HARDNESS AND CLARITY Test sheets of the compositions of this invention, using each type of polyethylene (as in Example 3), were prepared following the procedure of Example '3. Each sample was then subjected to a hardness test and an optical clarity test. The hardness test was conducted with a standard instrument made by the Shore Instrument Company. vThe hardnessof the composition was determined by its resistance to the penetration of a standardneedle under a standard load fora standard .length of time, and was expressed in units of from 1 to 100. The clarity of the compositions was measured on a Photovolt Photoelectric k Reflection Meter, Model 610, the results being. expressed, as-percent reflectance (A.S.T.M. D-791-f50). Theiproportions ofnpolymsl' and v these j tests are reported i r Modifier A and thc results'of in Tables D and E, below.

' Y 'zablep HARDNESS 7 Shore Hardness (D-Seale- 80 mil specimen for ten seconds) Parts Modifier A Per 100 Parts of Polyethylene r Low Press.

Type Polyethylene Hlgh Press. Tyge Polyet ylcne was:

Table E CLARITY Percent Reflectance Parts of Modifier A Per 100 Parts of Polyethylene I High Press. Type Polyethylene Low Press. Type Polyethylene 41 as so EXAMPLE 5.-PROPERTTESI OF POLYETHYLENE MODIFIED WITH 40% HYDROGENATED POLYPHENYLS Test sheets comprising each type of polyethylene (used in Example 3) were prepared according to the procedure of Example 3, containing 10 parts of 40% hydrogenated polyphenyls (Modifier B) per 100 parts of resin. The physical properties of the sheets so prepared were com} pared with the control samples, and the results are reported in Table F, below.

sa e

- e" I a While this invention has been described with'respect to certain embodiments, it is not so limited and, it is to be understood thatyvariations and modifications thereof obvious to those skilled in the art may be made without" departing .from the spirit or scope'of this invention.

What is claimed is:

"1. A composition comprising a major amount of normally solid polymer of a'mono-olefinic aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer having from two. to four carbon atoms, and a 'minor amount, at least about 1 part by weight per hundred parts by weight of polymer, of polya phenyl, which is at least-20% hydrogenated and contains from three to four rings.

2. 'A composition comprising a major amount at a normally solid copolyme r'of ethylene with from 2 to, 1 ;l0 percent by weightot'the ethylene of aniolefin selectedfrom the group consisting of propylene and butyli ene and a minor amount, at least about one part by weight per hundred parts of polymer, of polyphenyl which is at least 20% hydrogenated and contains threeto four rings. v

3. 'A composition comprising a m'ajor amount of a normally solid homopolymer 'of ethylene and'a' minor amount, at leastl part by weight per hundred parts of polyethylene, of polyphenyl which is at least 20%- hydrogenated and contains, three to four rings.

r 4. Acomposition comprising a major amountzof a normally solid homopolymer of ethylene and a'frninorj amount, at least 1 part by weightper hundred parts of a polyethylene, of i completely hydrogenated polyphenyl and contains-three to four rings. 5'. A composition comprising a major amount of a normally solid homopolymer, of ethylene and a minor, 1 amount, at least 1 part by weight per hundred parts of polyethylene, [of 40% hydrogenated polyphenyl and contains three to four rings. f I

6. A composition comprising a normally solid homopolymer of ethylene and from about 1 to about 15 parts of polyphenyl per hundred parts of ethylene homopolymer, which polyphenyl is at least 20% hydrogenated and contains three to four rings.

7. A composition comprising a normally solid homopolymer of ethylene and from about Sto about 10 parts .of completely hydrogenated mixed polyphenyl per hundred parts of ethylene homopolymer, which polyphenyl contains three to four rings.

8. A composition comprising a normally solid homopolymer of ethylene and from about 5 to about 10 parts by weight of 40% hydrogenated polyphenyl per hundred parts of ethylene homopolymer, which polyphenyl contains three to four rings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,303,069 Sparks et al Nov. 24, 1942 2,364,719 Jenkins Dec. 12, 1944 2,680,128 Slocombe et al. June 1, 1954 

1. A COMPOSITION COMPRISING A MAJOR AMOUNT OF A NORMALLY SOLID POLYMER OF A MONO-OLEFINIC ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBON MONOMER HAVING FROM TWO TO FOUR CARBON ATOMS, AND A MINOR AMOUNT, AT LEAST ABOUT 1 PART BY WEIGHT PER HUNDRED PARTS BY WEIGHT OF POLYMER, OF POLYPHENYL, WHICH IS AT LEAST 20% HYDROGENATED AND CONTAINS FROM THREE TO FOUR RINGS. 